Thought I'd post a quick-and-dirty thread on my recent experience painting the stock calipers.

My 30-year-old calipers were looking a little faded:



I steam-cleaned them and then got to work sanding all the calipers. I used Scotch-Brite 3M 7447 pads; these are roughly equivalent to 320-grit sandpaper. This is by far the most time-consuming part of the process.

Here is one of the front calipers after this process:



The area around the pistons is masked off ready for paint.

I used Raptor 1K Pro Flame Proof Primer for the base coat. I applied two coats.

Here is the result for one of the front calipers:



I then used two coats of red Raptor 1k Pro Enamel.

Here is one of the front calipers after painting:




And one of the rears:



This product does not require a final clear coat.

I used 180-grit sandpaper to remove the paint on the Mazda logo on the front calipers and then 400-grit to smooth the surface. I also sanded in one direction to achieve a brushed look.

Here is the result:



Finally, here is one of the mounted front calipers with shiny new StopTech rotors:



Overall, I am happy with the result, which I think replicates the red OEM powder coated calipers reasonably well.

However, I am not happy with the recommended Raptor paint curing process.

Unlike some other products, the Raptor paint instructions do not specify a pre-installation curing process. (Usually done in an oven; VHT high-temperature caliper paints, for example, recommend curing the painted items in an oven for 20 minutes at 200F/93C.) Instead, the instructions recommend installing the calipers and letting the natural heat from the braking process cure the paint.

For me, this approach led to a lot of pre-installation and installation damage to the uncured caliper paint. The uncured paint is also super sensitive to brake fluid, so is incredibly easily damaged by stray fluid.

I think curing the paint in an oven before installation makes far more sense.

 

Thanks for the writeup. The prep and tape work are very important. Your work looks great.

I agree with the curing process. I baked mine for at 200° for an hour. Time will tell if my wire brush prep holds up.